I just got back from installing Moog 81004 front coil springs and Air Lift 5,000 rear air bags plus Bilstein shocks on the rear, (front Bilsteins were installed earlier) all on our 2013 Roadtrek 190 Polular with 35,000 miles.
First impressions:
1. The sight picture from drivers seat was a more nose up attitude.
2. Seat of the pants feel was more nose up as was the climb into the seat.
3. During a short drive from shop to house there was a prominent sense that the vehicle followed vertical changes along the road with more precision - read stiiffer ride.
4. During that drive fine road roughness was more prominently transferred to the occupant - stiffer ride
3. Don't know how to convey this but there was still an underlying sense of enhanced shock absorber dampening of both - maybe controlled vibration from fine road roughness and minor road up and down movement - I tried to explain, probably did not do very well.
Some measurements, all taken in two different spots using an extended plumb "yard stick" and carpenters level from underside of fender to yard stick all with 50 PSI showing on the air bag remote controller and same water, propane, waste water and load during before and after measurements:
1. Front fender height above ground increased about 4 inches on both sides (This surprised me by being more than I expected)
2. The rear fender height increased by about half of an inch on both sides. (I expected more given 50 PSI in the air bags.)
Followup impressions:
1. Looking at van from the side the front fender LOOKS LOTS HIGHER than my my old recall of that sight picture.
2. I find it odd that the left front was raised a little more than the right front.
3. Our older 2004 Chevy based 190 Popular always was a little lower at the left front than right front when observed by eye ball. I had assumed that the driver weight and water tank under the driver, after 14 years and 200,000 miles had caused the left front springs to sag disproportionately. We shall see if a similar sag seems to occur with the Moog springs on our 2013 over an extended time frame
Aside: I had NAPA "Fleet" front hubs and bearing assemblies installed at the same time as the springs and Air Lift bags, also had NAPA severe duty "Fleet" front rotors and pads installed, plus alignment with specs recommended on this site for our vans after these suspension modifications. OEM front brakes had some "judder", typical compliant about Chevy Roadtreks of that era, and my experience , as well as that of others was that OEM front hub/bearing assemblies had a reputation of early failure for quite a few folks.
Total tab for labor ~$1,000 excluding parts - capable experienced independent local shop that we take our "fleet" to did the work.
More if and when it seems worthwhile to report.
BJ 2004 & 2013 RT 190 Pops
Florida Keys (soon Sun N Fun)
drjones7788@gmail.com